Is LSU setting the stage?

Published: Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at 10:15 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, June 11, 2013 at 10:16 a.m.

The Tigers entered the season with one goal — to return to the College World Series in Omaha, Neb. It will be LSU's first appearance since winning the national championship in 2009.

LSU is no stranger to Omaha, as it will be making its 16th trip to the College World Series since 1986. In that time, the Tigers have won six national titles — 1991, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000 and 2009.

Can LSU win it all?

Well, that remains to be seen, but considering how well the Tigers have played this season, one has to like their chances.

If LSU can win its seventh national title, that may bode well for another team in the Bayou State — the New Orleans Saints.

Confused?

Don't be because there is an easy explanation to this madness.

When LSU wins the College World Series, there is a 50 percent chance the Saints will make history the following season.

Just take a look at three of LSU's six championship seasons.

When the Tigers won their first national title in 1991, the Saints followed it up by capturing their first division title in franchise history.

After LSU won its fifth title in 2000, the Saints made history by winning their first playoff game.

Finally, LSU's 2009 College World Series championship was followed by the greatest season in Saints history — a win in Super Bowl XLIV.

This formula does not work all the time, as the Saints struggled to a combined 17-31 record following LSU's 1993, 1996 and 1997 championship seasons.

But it is kind of ironic that the Saints had some of their best seasons after the LSU baseball team won a national championship.

It's just a strange coincidence that both teams have been successful at the same time.

LSU does not have to win it all for the Saints to have success on the gridiron. After LSU made its second-straight trip to the College World Series in 1987, the Saints followed by making the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

Once again, another strange coincidence involving the LSU baseball team and the Saints.

But it makes you wonder what lies ahead for the Saints, especially if LSU wins its seventh national title.

Despite last season's 7-9 record, the Saints still have to be considered a Super Bowl contender. The Saints have one of the NFL's top quarterbacks in the NFL, and Sean Payton's return from a season-long suspension should inspire the team for the 2013 season.

The only thing holding the Saints back may be the defense, which ranked as the worst in NFL history last season.

New defensive coordinator Rob Ryan is already taking steps to rectify that with his new 3-4 scheme.

Will Payton's return and the defensive changes be enough to get the Saints back to the playoffs and possibly another Super Bowl?

That remains to be seen, but maybe the LSU baseball team will give us a glimpse on what the NFL future holds in regards to the Saints.

I know that this a farfetched idea, but as we all know, history has a strange way of repeating itself.

Brent St. Germain is sports editor of The Courier and the Daily Comet. He can be reached at 857-2239 or 448-7600 ext. 2239 or by e-mail at brent.st.germain@houmatoday.com.

<p>It's mission accomplished for LSU's baseball team.</p><p>The Tigers entered the season with one goal — to return to the College World Series in Omaha, Neb. It will be LSU's first appearance since winning the national championship in 2009.</p><p>LSU is no stranger to Omaha, as it will be making its 16th trip to the College World Series since 1986. In that time, the Tigers have won six national titles — 1991, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000 and 2009.</p><p>Can LSU win it all?</p><p>Well, that remains to be seen, but considering how well the Tigers have played this season, one has to like their chances. </p><p>If LSU can win its seventh national title, that may bode well for another team in the Bayou State — the New Orleans Saints.</p><p>Confused?</p><p>Don't be because there is an easy explanation to this madness.</p><p>When LSU wins the College World Series, there is a 50 percent chance the Saints will make history the following season.</p><p>Just take a look at three of LSU's six championship seasons.</p><p>When the Tigers won their first national title in 1991, the Saints followed it up by capturing their first division title in franchise history.</p><p>After LSU won its fifth title in 2000, the Saints made history by winning their first playoff game.</p><p>Finally, LSU's 2009 College World Series championship was followed by the greatest season in Saints history — a win in Super Bowl XLIV.</p><p>This formula does not work all the time, as the Saints struggled to a combined 17-31 record following LSU's 1993, 1996 and 1997 championship seasons.</p><p>But it is kind of ironic that the Saints had some of their best seasons after the LSU baseball team won a national championship.</p><p>It's just a strange coincidence that both teams have been successful at the same time.</p><p>LSU does not have to win it all for the Saints to have success on the gridiron. After LSU made its second-straight trip to the College World Series in 1987, the Saints followed by making the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.</p><p>Once again, another strange coincidence involving the LSU baseball team and the Saints.</p><p>But it makes you wonder what lies ahead for the Saints, especially if LSU wins its seventh national title.</p><p>Despite last season's 7-9 record, the Saints still have to be considered a Super Bowl contender. The Saints have one of the NFL's top quarterbacks in the NFL, and Sean Payton's return from a season-long suspension should inspire the team for the 2013 season. </p><p>The only thing holding the Saints back may be the defense, which ranked as the worst in NFL history last season.</p><p>New defensive coordinator Rob Ryan is already taking steps to rectify that with his new 3-4 scheme.</p><p>Will Payton's return and the defensive changes be enough to get the Saints back to the playoffs and possibly another Super Bowl?</p><p>That remains to be seen, but maybe the LSU baseball team will give us a glimpse on what the NFL future holds in regards to the Saints. </p><p>I know that this a farfetched idea, but as we all know, history has a strange way of repeating itself.</p><p>Brent St. Germain is sports editor of The Courier and the Daily Comet. He can be reached at 857-2239 or 448-7600 ext. 2239 or by e-mail at brent.st.germain@houmatoday.com.</p>